Former NHL defenseman and current ESPN hockey analyst P.K. Subban is under fire after making a cruel on-air joke during the network’s breakdown of Toronto’s lackluster loss to Florida in Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fresh off beating the defending conference champion Lightning and advancing in the postseason for the first time since 2004, the Maple Leafs lost to the Panthers, 4-2, on home ice Tuesday night.
During the ESPN crew’s postgame analysis, host John Buccigross made reference to the fact that Toronto should “pack a lunch” after their uninspiring loss in an attempt to have more energy ahead of Thursday’s pivotal Game 2.
While agreeing with Buccigross’s sentiment, the 2013 Norris Trophy winner crossed a line when he made a crude joke in reference to plus-size rapper and actress Lizzo.
“Maybe they need to pack a Lizzo-sized lunch,” said the former 13-year NHL veteran Subban.
“Maybe they need to pack a @lizzo sized lunch” a PK Subban ????
— Chris Mancuso (@SeltzerKing_) May 3, 2023
Will there be blow back ? I say yes! pic.twitter.com/JTuDjFWCE0
Subban’s insult has resulted in immediate demands for an apology from the former NHL defenseman. So far, neither the former NHL All-Star nor ESPN have commented on the remark.
A number of NHL fans and observers didn’t appreciate the comment.
“Lizzo sized lunch”.
— Allison (@AlleyDalley) May 3, 2023
Gross comment by PK Subban @espn
Sis Pk Subban really just say “Lizzo sized lunch?” That’s… not acceptable. That’s fatphobic.
— Maya ???? (@OstrowskiMaya) May 3, 2023
PK Subban fat-shamed Lizzo. Typical Subban clown move. He's just horrible on ESPN.
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) May 3, 2023
My dad on Subban's Lizzo comment last night.
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) May 3, 2023
"Subban took cheap shots all through his hockey career. Why did anyone think he'd stop after he retired?"
